Chapter 25

"What was that about Melanie? You threw Jack under the bus." Melanie smiled, "my mom is here. I have to go."

Claire saw Max standing there with his two friends by the car. Claire walked up to Max, "Max, can we talk?" Max brushed his hair to the back.

"Sure, Claire, what's up?"

"So we on first name bases?"

Max shrugged his shoulder; "there's your friend; shouldn't you be running to him?"

"Max, what got into you? Are you jealous?"

"Me, Jealous, no way I'm not Jealous of that freak."

"He saved your life, and you never even thanked him."

Max laughed loudly, "that asshole never saved my life, Claire. I didn't need anyone's help."

"Thats why you were pleading, Max. But never mind, what are you doing this evening? We are having a little party over at the beach?"

"I'm down, babe. I will see you there."

"Great, see you there, or will you be picking me up?"

"I will be going with Joey, so is it cool if I just meet you there."

Claire smiled. She had a beautiful smile; her dimples were visible; whenever she smiled, her eyes brightened up, and to could see happiness in her eyes.

A beautiful girl like Claire, any man, would love to be with her. Max looked over at Jack, standing with Marcus by the car. Leaned over and smirked, kissing Claire on the lips.

"His acting like an asshole. I don't know why the sudden change in his attitude."

Marcus took his surfboard out of his black Jeep, "Maybe he's just Jealous, want to join me on the beach?"

"The beach, I haven't been there for a while, but I would like to Join. This is a neat Jeep you have."

"Thanks, man; I got it as a present from my dad."

The two climbed into the Jeep and closed the doors when they heard Claire shouting.

"Jack, where are you going."

Jack frowned, "is she keeping tabs on you now, man? Isn't she with that other dude?"

"Yes, it confuses me as well."

He had looked to the back of the Jeep, and there was Claire with her blue coat and jean.

Opening the door, he leaned out, "Claire? What's up?"

"Nothing, I am just asking where you guys are going. It looks like you are heading out."

Marcus was handsome, not perhaps in the conventional sense, but he had that appearance that could make him stand out in the crowd. He was fair, almost tanned. His unfathomable, golden brown eyes contrasted exceptionally with his light-toned face. His eyes were as deep and expressive as you could get lost if you stared long enough. His face had that faraway look that cannot be described in words. His smile, which reached his eyes and wrinkled them, flaunted his modesty and humility. Above all were his frame and his stature.

He was not highly muscular, with 8-pack abs or 16 cm biceps. However, he could stand out in a crowd, mainly due to his way of carrying himself. Perhaps he was not the kind who had girls swooning over him. But he was straightforward and innocent.

"Sorry to ask, but are you guys going out?"

"Yes, we are, Claire. We are heading to the beach."

"Oh, that's nice, refreshing." She laughed nervously. She used her index finger to brush the strand of hair to the back of her ear.

She looked back and saw Max leaning over his Jaguar F-Type V8, wearing his sunglasses. "You do know your boyfriend doesn't like you around Jack."

Claire smiled, exposing her white teeth, as her eyes brightened, "I know, but I don't care. He can't tell me who to hang out with or not to hang out with Marcus."

"So, would you guys mind if I tag along?"

"Sure, as long as your boyfriend doesn't mind," Marcus replied,

Claire jumped in the back of the Jeep as Max climbed in his car, speeding off. "He is pissed off."

Jack took out a blunt and lit it, "I need this right now." he took a drag and leaned back, closing his eyes. The weed made him feel more relaxed with everything that was happening.

"Pass it along, Jack."

"My bad, Marcus. I never even asked if it was cool if I light this joint in your car."

"It's cool, man. If you weren't, I would." Marcus turned up the music and took a drag, passing to Claire. Jack's eyes close as his lungs fill, his head nods, and he becomes lost inside a hip-hop haze of bass, high hats, and trumpets. He feels calm as he looks to the back. Claire is smoking the Joint. His eyes somehow seem more significant. As he wipes his eyes, she stares at him biting her lips.

Claire then passes him the joint. Jack takes another few drags and passes it onto Marcus.

They arrive at the beach. The scenery is beautiful. The ocean matches Claire's eyes; it was blue now it's green. She takes off her top and removes clothes from her bag.

"Dont peek, boys."

Marcus laughs, "I am not looking." Jack covers his eyes playfully. "Me neither."

"Okay, you can look now," Marcus and Jack looked to the back. Claire was wearing a red swimsuit.

"Do you naturally look like a model in any swimwear?"

Claire blushed and leaned over, whispering in Jack's ear, "I look like what you make me feel. That's amazing."

"Are we keeping secrets now?" Marcus said.

"No secrets, just something private between Jack and me." Claire winked.

They climbed out, and Jack stripped down to his shorts and was topless. This is the first time Claire has seen Jack topless. His upper arm has a tribal tattoo, and his shoulder has a dragon tattoo.

Marcus took his surfboard, ran, and went surfing, "Marcus, I would never have taken him to be the adventure type."

"Well, I guess you dont know someone until you hang with them?"

They took the towel in the jeep and the umbrella and laid down on the sand.

Claire kept looking at Jack, and when he turned to look at her, she looked away, "your hair looks cool, by the way." She made conversation.

"Thanks. I saw the cops talking to you. Is there anything I should worry about?"

Claire laughed, "no, the only person we worry about is Melanie, who told them you pulled a firearm out in the mall on the guys."

"They might ask you about it."

"Is that all?"

"No, those three guys that you fought with are dead. They were shot in the head, cops first thought it was Marcus, but he was with us in the movies the whole time."

Jack frowned, "he left halfway through the movie."

"No, he didn't. He was right in front of us the whole time."

Jack shook his head, "his phone rang when you left for the bathroom, and he left right after you." Claire thought for a moment.

"But it doesn't matter. It's not like Marcus can harm a fly, or we wouldn't be here, right?"

Jack nodded, "So how are things between you and Max, and why is he being like an ass with me today?"

"We are okay. I think he is just an insecure asshole. We are having a party later this evening, would you like to come?

"I would love to come, but what about Marcus?"

"He can come also."

"Do you think he is capable of killing anyone?"

"No, he is not," Claire answered, "we dated three days before he left for London. Not exactly sure why."

"Wait, so you guys know him?"

"We know him, but not well. Back then, he was the bad boy who always got into trouble; he and his sister were close before her disappearance."

"His sister? Do I know her?"

"Yes, you do; you guys were pretty close before her disappearance." Claire removed her glasses, "come on. I am sure you remember Nicole."

"Wait, are you telling me Marcus is Nicole's brother? Why did he leave? Why is he back? Do you think they heard something of Nicole?"

"Dude breath, you look like you are going to have a panic attack."

"I am breathing. I am fine." Jack replied, stretching out, "come, I rub some sun cream on your back," said Claire. Jack laid flat on his tummy as Claire spread her thighs over his waist, leaning over and rubbing the sun cream on his back. She leans as low to the back of his neck, her lips gently brushing to his neck.

"You feel tense. Are you okay?"

Marcus stood in the water out of sight, watching them laying on his surfboard, "I never thank you the proper way for Saturday, she ran her fingers to the back of his neck. Claire looked up and saw Marcus standing there, watching them. She climbed off his back and stood up. "Are you okay, Claire?"

"I am fine, just having the sudden chills, if you know what I mean."

"Maybe we should go to the water," Jack said. As they were about to climb in the water, Marcus came running out with his surfing board "are you guys good?" Jack nodded, and Claire faintly smiled.

"We should be heading back home soon. Maybe you guys want to swim before we leave?" Claire turned around and walked back to the umbrella, "No, I am good, thanks." Marcus's stare made her feel uncomfortable, so she threw the towel over her. "It's getting cold."